Blinky the Clown made history...does he belong in History Colorado?

Blinky the Clown was an icon for generations of Colorado kids who grew up watching his Blinky's Fun Club on local television. Blinky -- aka Russell Scott -- passed away on August 27 at the age of 91, and now his friends and family members -- including daughter Linda and son-in-law Steve Ballas, who own Steve's Snappin' Dogs -- are trying to have Blinky included in the exhibits at History Colorado.

Steve and Linda Ballas had tried to have Blinky somehow included at the old Colorado History Museum "while he was still alive, about eight years ago," Ballas remembers. "it never really went anywhere."

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Ever been chastised for acting like a clown? I sure have. But if ever accused of acting like Blinky, consider it an honor.

First, some background. Co-hosting three hours of sports talk radio each weekday afternoon from 3-6pm on Mile High Sports Radio is a blast. I am blessed to possess such a job and enjoy the banter about topics with my co-host, Eric Goodman. Officially, we're known as Afternoon Drive with Mac and Goodman. Heard at AM1510 and FM93.7, I prefer, The Odd Couple: Afternoon Drive.... and enjoy slipping it into the conversation when possible. Eric and I are like Felix and Oscar. I'm Oscar.

Another interesting aspect of life on Lincoln, Mile High Sports' location in the Beauvallon building, is on-air talents sell their respective shows. Yep. A unique business model. Goodman, yours truly, and other yakkers must find sponsors to help pay for the air time. No salaries. All the men and women hosting shows need satisfied clients. Happy sponsors.

Victory Productions loves working with Mile High Sports crew, led by James Merilatt and Doug Ottewill, because, collectively, we can offer a multiple marketing strategy to businesses. Through radio, magazine, online, social media, television and community we market businesses. Victory specializes in helping small business owners achieve dreams and overcome challenges. That's Victory's mission and job. We're not perfect but do try.

One of Victory's clients is Steve's Snappin Dogs, owned by Linda and Steve Ballas. Wonderful couple. At Colfax and Monroe, just west of National Jewish Hospital, Steve's is a yummy spot for lunch, quick-and easy dinners and celebrations, like birthday parties, kiddos and adults. I'm gonna have my next birthday party there. The theme is "I can Thrive at 55!" You're welcome to attend, details to come. I highly recommend the Atlanta Slaw Dog and a Steve's Snappin' Ale. I've tasted many. Try one sometime and tell the crew Chatty Patty sent ya! For more info about Chatty Patty, read the Pep Talk from two weeks earlier.

This one is about Linda's father, Russell Scott. Many of you will recognize this cool dude as "Blinky the Clown." For 40 years he entertained children of all ages through a popular television show on Denver's KWGN, Channel 2. Before pulling his signature red nose off for the final time, Scott, who passed just four months ago 91, became the most tenured host of any television children's show in American history, second in the world. Sorry for the sports analogy, but a first-ballot Hall of Famer when it comes to providing quality programming for kids.

Victory is working with the Ballas' in an effort to have Blinky placed in the History Colorado Museum. What this clown represented is deserved of public remembrance. We would be, my opinion, in pretty darn good shape as communities if we practiced what Blinky preached.

I would encourage you to YouTube "Blinky the Clown" and watch videos captured during Blinky's Fun Club's four-decade run deep into the hearts of Centennial State kids and families. Everyone should sing "Happy Birthday" to kids like Blinky. Watch these videos. They're hilarious and inspirational.

At the end of each show, Blinky would always encourage kids watching to do three things that day: "When mommy comes home, hug her and tell her you love her. When daddy comes home, hug him and tell him you love him. Finally, pick up your toys!"

What a great message to send to kids. What a great message to send to each of us. Love each other, be respectful of one another and clean up your own damn mess.

Can you imagine? What the heck would this community -- region, nation, world -- look like this week if each of us made the conscious decision to live that terrific trio?

Bartender, another round for everybody at the bar buying into that!

But unfortunately, that darn thing called life gets in the way of our best laid plans, right? We start out with an attitude of love, respect and responsibility but then the unwanted and unexpected detours rattle our cages. Sometimes with horrific consequences like the tragedy in Connecticut, to name just the latest.

Blinky the Clown reminded kids, and anybody else watching with them, to be loving, respectful and responsible. Whenever we have a moment to immortalize someone like that, we should do it. We hope History Colorado Museum officials agree.

Until next week, focus on being loving, respectful and responsible. No guarantees, but I think I could get John Fox, George Karl, Mike MacIntyre, Tad Boyle, and other successful coaches we have on The Odd Couple, to concur, a team committed to loving, respecting and answering to one another has a good chance, no guarantee, at success.

The venues may change. It might be building a successful business, team or family. It don't matter. What does matter is realizing opportunity to play like champions, whatever endeavor pursued, diminishes greatly if there's questions about the right mix of love, respect and responsibility being poured into the foundation.

Patricia Calhoun co-founded Westword in 1977; she’s been the editor ever since. She’s a regular on the weekly CPT12 roundtable Colorado Inside Out, played a real journalist in John Sayles’s Silver City, once interviewed President Bill Clinton while wearing flip-flops, and has been honored with numerous national awards for her columns and feature-writing.